Groton field hockey is committed to developing players to become confident competitors whose love of the game, belief in good sportsmanship, and willingness to work hard exemplify the best in field hockey. Being a student-athlete at Groton combines an unparalleled experience in the classroom and on the field, one where students feel both challenged and supported.
Since pausing due to COVID in the fall of 2020, the varsity team has improved each season. The team made the NEPSAC playoffs in 2022 and 2023, with a most recent appearance in the semi-finals after an impressive ten win season.
Groton is a small school with the resources found at larger peer schools. The Zebras practice and play all home games on a beautiful turf field. Athletes also use our top-notch athletic complex, home to a fitness center, locker rooms, and athletic training room. The team regularly trains with a strength and conditioning coach to improve and recover properly.
We encourage you to visit campus if you are interested in learning more about Groton and our program. Please don’t hesitate to contact Head Coach Kellie Walsh (kwalsh@ngskmc-eis.net) if you have any questions or would like to chat.
Athletes Playing in College:
Cassidy Thibodeau '21, University of North Carolina
Freddie Tobeason ’19, Washington and Lee Maddy Ferrucci ’17, Bowdoin College
Although a native New Englander, Kellie lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before coming to Groton in July 2020. She became head coach in the fall of 2021. In that time, the team has improved its record each season and made the NEPSAC Class B playoffs in two of the past three seasons.
Kellie was a three-sport varsity field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse player as a student at Phillips Academy Andover. She then went on to play Division I college field hockey at the College of the Holy Cross, before transferring to Division III Colby College. During her three years at Colby, Kellie received numerous accolades, including the Colby Athletics Barren Award, NESCAC All-Sportsman Award, All-NESCAC team selection, National Field Hockey Coaches All-Academic Squad, and team captain.
As a multi-sport athlete, Kellie believes in the camaraderie and leadership skills that sports instill in young women. Kellie is excited about the growth and development of Groton’s program and looks forward to spending the afternoon on the field each fall.
Coach Hamlin played field hockey for the University of Rochester from 2009–13, a period in which the team made its first NCAA Elite Eight appearance in school history. She has been teaching Second Form science and chemistry and coaching field hockey and lacrosse at Groton since fall 2017.
Ms. Hamlin’s goals are to challenge young people to perform at their personal bests and to foster teamwork, sportsmanship, and communication—“skills that students will take with them from the field and apply to all aspects of their lives.”